Lucha star passes, Sting update, free agent visits TNA, more Punk fallout, TNA talks social media, big new WWE TV deal, Angle injury update, Young nominated, Styles-TNA update, talk of new Jarrett promotion, the difference between WWE and National Pro Wrestling Day, another TNA-UK tour announced, new role for Ricardo, Interviews with Rhodes/Titus, TNA going Japanese, WWE app hits milestone, TNA's investor tweets, WWE beefs up NXT special and Questions on Sting vs. Taker, 2spooky4me, The Shield in MITB and the Rumble

AAA star Mini Chessman passed away at 46. More details here. I normally don't cover lucha stuff, but since someone passed away, I think it's appropriate to mention it.

Sting is believed to be done with TNA, at least for the foreseeable future. I can't blame him if he goes and collects some sweet WWE paychecks. I believe TNA's gotten as far as they can with him.

NJPW performer Prince Devitt visited at a recent TNA event. His contract expires soon and he's expected to go to WWE, but maybe there's a curveball thrown.

TNA put up some footage of C.M. Punk from his days in the company to play off him being in the news. I can't say I blame them. I'd be INCREDIBLY surprised to see Punk go to TNA, though.

Everything else from yesterday is after the break.

Kurt Angle and Jeremy Borash talked about TNA's Twittah Machine. TNA Network would be pretty funny.


WWE has signed an incredibly lucrative TV/PPV deal in the UK, spanning five years. They also have a new deal of the same length in Thailand. This really builds momentum for their negotiations in the U.S. and for the WWE Network.

Kurt Angle is said to be in rather rough physical shape and may be taking time off to have knee surgery soon. I wouldn't be surprised at all if he missed Lockdown. Hopefully other stars will have enough momentum going for them to sell the show. I expect MVP to be a focus since the show's in Miami.

Darren Young has been nominated for a GLAAD Media award due to his coming out. Good for him.

There were never any plans for AJ Styles to be at the most recent TNA tapings. He isn't expected to work with the company in the near future, though it's still possible he returns at some point.

Newsday covered the rumored Jeff Jarrett/Toby Keith promotion. Keith doing that early TNA PPV gets him a LOT of respect from me. That's true honor.

A story on National Pro Wrestling Day contrasted the event with what WWE does. Great cause for them to do an event for.

Rener Gracie talked about C.M. Punk potentially going to MMA.

Dixie Carter retweeted Bully Ray's challenge to C.M. Punk. That one might be up to the new investor...

TNA announced another UK tour for early 2015. There's no telling what the company will look like then.

Ricardo Rodriguez has been working backstage in WWE in relations to recent tryouts, as well as helping with Spanish commentary. I think he can find a nice role for himself in the company.

Titus O'Neil gave an interview. I imagine he's pulling for Batista to win at Mania given their history.

TNA's working relationship with Wrestle-1 has expanded to set up appearances by Great Muta and Seiya Sanada at Lockdown as well as TNA stars working Wrestle-1 events. That's great news! I hope TNA continues to expand in new and exciting and directions now that Bischoff and Hogan are gone.

WWE has asked Madison Square Garden to remove listings of C.M. Punk vs. Kane, so it looks like they're going on the assumption that he's not coming back. They can't get too held up on him if he's taking time off and won't be around for the near future. I'd certainly rather him be part of WWE, but they need a plan in case he won't be.

Update: WWE moved Randy Orton to that show to make up the difference. That sucks for the people who don't get Punk, Cena, Orton or Batista at the other show.

Jim Ross talked about the Punk situation. JR's a wise elder statesman for a reason.

The WWE app has topped 10 million downloads. That's very impressive. Hopefully that leads to a lot of WWE Network downloads as well.

There were a number of C.M. Punk chants at the latest NXT tapings, which WWE discouraged. C.M. Punk signs were confiscated. The "voiceless" Punk was the voice of are making themselves known.

TNA's new "investor" MVP tweeted about his current status. I don't see him going back on his handshake agreement. I think his addition to TNA could be great. That said, I haven't seen him wrestle since the end of his WWE run.

John Cena, Sheamus, the New Age Outlaws, Shawn Michaels and Bret Hart are set for the live NXT special on 2/27. The show will feature NXT Champion Bo Dallas vs. Adrian Neville in a ladder match, Antonio Cesaro vs. Sami Zayn in a 2-out-of-3 falls match and NXT Women's Champion Paige vs. Emma. That's a must-see event. I can't wait.

For my take on yesterday's PWInsider.com questions:
1. I don't see Taker being the type to work with Dixie Carter. Seriously, though, I think we're in for Taker vs. Brock. I can see Sting going into the Hall of Fame, but I'd be really surprised to see him face Taker at WM30. And the bloom might be off the rose by WM31.

2. I miss some of the more supernatural "out there" characters. Hopefully The Ascension will fill that void on the main roster some day.

3. I'm not so sold on the idea, if for no other reason than MITB already has its own PPV. Mania should have enough going for it without adding that.

4. I can only imagine the chaos of putting together a match with 30 people in it. In related news, I can't wait for Pat Patterson's book.

5. They still have to sell PPVs to people who don't buy the Network or live in countries without it. Even if they didn't, slacking on PPV content would be silly because people could easily stop subscribing to the network if it doesn't deliver.

More wrestling tomorrow.